Simulated jet airplane toy

ABSTRACT

A simulated non-compressive type fan jet airplane with a cage at the center of the fuselage and a propeller in the cage that draws air rearwardly to thrust the airplane forward. The propeller is driven by a small electric motor and rechargeable electric batteries that are located in the fuselage of the airplane.

United States Patent Chang et al.

SIMULATED JET AIRPLANE TOY Inventors: Richard 5. Chang, Rolling Hills Estates; James D. Moore, Palos Verdes Peninsula, both of Calif.

Assignee: Mattel, Inc., Hawthorne, Calif.

Filed: Feb. 23, 1973 Appl. No.: 335,190

US. Cl 46/243 AV, 46/76 A Int. Cl A63h 27/06 Field of Search 46/77 A, 243 AV References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Tenney 46/76 A lO/l952 Mar. 12, 1974 12/1970 Kupperman et al. 46/243 AV 3,546,61 1 3,738,058 6/1973 Mabuchi 46/243 AV 3,745,699 7/l973 Mabuchi 46/243 AV Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-Robert F. Cutting Attorney, Agent, or FirmFranklin D. Jankosky; Max B. Shirk [57] ABSTRACT A simulated non-compressive type fan jet airplane with a cage at the center of the fuselage and a propeller in the cage that draws air rearwardly to thrust the airplane forward. The propeller is driven by a small electric motor and rechargeable electric batteries that are located in the fuselage of the airplane.

15 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures SIMULATED JET AIRPLANE TOY FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to self-propelled toy airplanes and more particularly to a-novel simulated fan jet airplane that includes a propeller driven by an on-board electric motor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The vast majority of model airplanes feature gasoline driven motors to propel the airplane. These gasoline driven airplanes have more than sufficient power available; therefore, generally the weight of the airplane is not a critical factor. Electric motor driven airplanes have been known for some time; however, because of low power relative to the weight of the airplane, the batteries were located on the ground. Thus, the electric motor driven airplanes were not a truly free flight airplane.

However, in the past few years, light weight electric motor and batteries have become available that permit the airplane to carry both the electric motor and the batteries. Such an arrangement has appeared on various conventional type propeller driven airplanes. In the case of toy jet airplanes, the only available jets have been of the compressive type which require that a substantial amount of power be available. Therefore, such compressive type jet airplanes have been limited to either gasoline driven motors or electric motors where the batteries have been located on the ground. Furthermore, these toy jet airplanes have an impeller disc that is completely enclosed within a duct to obtain the necessary compression of air. Such a construction necessitates close tolerances that add to the cost of manufacture. In addition, the length of the duct behind the impeller disc included various arrangements of vanes to obtain the necessary air flow that added additional cost to the manufacture. Thus, a low cost simulated jet airplane has not been made available to the average income child.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simulated toy jet airplane having a minimum number of parts.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a highly efficient simulated toy jet airplane having the electric motor and batteries located on the airplane to obtain a truly free flight operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a low cost simulated toy jet airplane that may be easily purchased by the average income child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the objects set forth above, the present invention provides a flyable toy airplane which is propelled by an engine arrangement which simulates a fan jet engine. The simulated fan jet airplane is of the non-compressive type having a cage located at the center of the fuselage. The cage encloses a propeller that draws air rearwardly to thrust the airplane forward. The propeller is driven by a small electric motor and rechargeable electric batteries that are located in the fuselage of the airplane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Additional objects, advantages, and characteristic features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a simulated fan jet airplane in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the simulated fan jet airplane of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the simulated fan jet airplane of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial side elevational view of the simulated fan jet airplane of FIG. 1 with portions of the fuselage open to expose the power module of the airplane in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial rear view of the simulated fan jet airplane of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a partial side elevational view of the simulated fan jet airplane of FIG. 1 for the purpose of illustrating the air flow through the fuselage in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a simulated fan jet airplane 10. The jet airplane 10 generally includes a fuselage 12, a pair of Wings 14, a rudder 18, and an elevator 16. The fuselage 12 contains a power module 20 located at the approximate longitudinal center thereof. The power module 20 is comprised of a cage member 22 which houses a propeller 24 that is powered by an electric motor 26 and rechargeable electric batteries 28. The power module 20 and its associated components will be discussed in more detail later in the specification.

Referring now also to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown a partial plan view and a side elevational view, respectively, of the simulated fan jet airplane 10. The jet airplane 10 includes a pair of simulated air intakes 32. While the pair of simulated air intakes 32 do allow a little air to flow through the power module 20, the main purpose of the simulated air intakes 32 is to give the jet airplane 10 the appearance of a conventional jet airplane. As stated earlier, the simulated jet airplane 10 does not feature a compressive type jet engine. Therefore, the simulated jet airplane 10 does not have a jetpipe aft of the'power module, nor does it have associated vanes necessary to minimize turbulence and to straighten the air flow through the jetpipe. The design of the power module 20 of the simulated jet airplane 10 allows bottom part of the fuselage 12 aft of the power module 20 to be open. As more clearly shown in FIG. 3, that part of the fuselage 12 that is located aft of the power module 20 is designated by the numeral 34 and slopes downward as it approaches the rear of the jet airplane 10. As is well known, conventional front located propellers are aligned to develop a downward thrust in order to maintain level flight during changes in power. Such downward sloping part 34 located aft of the power module 20 cooperates with the propeller 24 to develop this necessary thrust to maintain the jet airplane 10 in level flight during changes in power.

The containment of the propeller 24 within the fuselage 12 instead of outside of it, results in an airplane appearance which closely simulates that of a jet airplane. A child playing with the airplane realizes that the enclosed or shrouded propeller 24 drives the jet airplane 10, and this enhances the realism and novelty of the craft. The cage design and downward sloping rear fuselage design adds novelty tothe jet airplane 10 while keeping a jet appearance, and makes the jet airplane 10 appear like a new type of jet fighter plane. Also, this particlly open cage 22 permits a child to view the rotating propeller, so that it appears to be a fan jet engine, yet since the propeller 24 is shrouded by the cage 22, the child will not be hurt by the rotating propeller 24.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a partial side elevational view of the simulated fan jet airplane 10 with portions of the fuselage 12 open to expose the power module 20. The drive module 20 includes an electric motor 26 mounted at the forward portion of the cage 22 and a group of rechargeable electric batteries 28 mounted in front of the electric motor 26 on a bracket 36 that may be part of the cage 22 or may be attached thereto. The cage 22 may be mounted to the fuselage 12 by conventional means. The electric motor 26 has a rearwardly extending shaft 38 and the propeller 24 is fixed to the shaft 38. The location of the electric motor 26 and the group of rechargeable electric batteries in front of the propeller 24 ensures that there is a minimum of interference by them with the air flow that occurs through the cage 22 and the propeller 24 and further towards the downward sloping part 34 of the rear fuselage 12. Conventional electric wires, not shown, are employed between the electric batteries 28 and the electric motor 26 to supply electrical current upon actuation of a switch, not shown.

The propeller 24 is located in the approximate center of the front and rear ends of the cage 22. It might be supposed that the propeller 24 could just as well be located at the rear end of the cage 22, or even behind it. However, it has been found that greater thrust is produced by locating the propeller 24 a distance in front of the rear end of the cage 22.

Referring now also to FIGS. and 6, there is shown a partial rear view and a partial side elevational view, respectively, of the simulated fan jet airplane 10. The majority of the air that is directed towards the rear of the jet airplane by the propeller 24 enters the cage 22 via the openings 22a of the cage 22. The dashed arrows designated 40 and 42 illustrate such air intake, while the dashed arrow 44 illustrates the small amount of air intake through the pair of simulated air intakes 32. Referring now specifically to FIG. 6, there is shown the direction of the air flow aft of the propeller 24 as illustrated by the dashed arrows 46. As stated earlier, the downward sloping part 34 of the fuselage 12 that is located aft of the power module cooperates with the propeller 24 to develop the necessary thrust to maintain the jet airplane 10 in level flight during changes in power. Since the downward sloping part 34 is open at the bottom, the simulated fan jet airplane 10 does not experience the air drag associated with jetpipes of the compressive type jets that employ impeller disc. Furthermore, the extra expense of air vanes employed in the jetpipes is eliminated.

Although particular embodiments of the invention 65 intended that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents.

What is claimed is:

1. A free flight simulated fan jet airplane comprising:

a fuselage having at least one opening located in proximity of the longitudinal center of said fuselage;

a propeller rotatably mounted within said fuselage in near proximity of said opening of said fuselage; and

electrical means coupled to said propeller for rotating said propeller to thereby draw air through said opening and to direct said drawn air rearwardly of said propeller.

2. An airplane as recited in claim 1 wherein said electrical means includes an electric motor having a shaft directly coupled to said propeller.

3. An airplane as recited in claim 2 wherein said elec- 20 trical means further includes at least one rechargeable 25 wardly of said propeller.

5. An airplane as recited in claim 1 wherein said fuselage includes air flow control means located to the rear of said propeller for directing said rearwardly air flow downwardly of said fuselage.

6. An airplane as recited in claim 5 wherein said air flow control means of said fuselage is open on the bottom and includes side portions and a progressively downward directed portion for establishing said downward air flow.

7. An airplane as recited in claim 1 which further comprises:

a cage having a forward end, a rear end, and a plurality of longitudinal ribs and associated openings extending between said forward and rear ends;

means for mounting said cage in said fuselage in near proximity of said centrally located opening of said fuselage; and

means for mounting said electrical means partially within said cage.

8. An airplane as recited in claim 7 wherein said propeller is located within said cage and is partially shrouded by said plurality of longitudinal ribs of said cage.

9. An airplane as recited in claim 7 wherein said fuselage includes a plurality of longitudinally extending openings located on the top surface and partially on the side surface of said fuselage in proximity of the longitudinal center of said fuselage, and said cage is mounted within said fuselage so as to align a portion of said associated openings of said cage with said respective plurality of longitudinally extending openings of said fuselage.

10. An airplane as recited in claim 9 wherein said fuselage is open on the bottom side of said cage.

a fuselage having a plurality of openings located in its approximate midsection;

and located in front of said propeller 14. An airplane as recited in claim 12 wherein said propeller is rotated so as to draw air through said respective plurality of openings of said fuselage and said shrouded means and to further direct said drawn air rearward of said propeller and shrouded means.

15. An airplane as recited in claim 14 wherein said fuselage further includes a member located to the rear of said propeller, said member progressively sloping downward as it extends to rear so as to direct said rearwardly directed air downward. 

1. A free flight simulated fan jet airplane comprising: a fuselage having at least one opening located in proximity of the longitudinal center of said fuselage; a propeller rotatably mounted within said fuselage in near proximity of said opening of said fuselage; and electrical means coupled to said propeller for rotating said propeller to thereby draw air through said opening and to direct said drawn air rearwardly of said propeller.
 2. An airplane as recited in claim 1 wherein said electrical means includes an electric motor having a shaft directly coupled to said propeller.
 3. An airplane as recited in claim 2 wherein said electrical means further includes at least one rechargeable electric battery electrically connected to said electric motor.
 4. An airplane as recited in claim 1 wherein said opening of said fuselage lies both forwardly and rearwardly of said propeller.
 5. An airplane as recited in claim 1 wherein said fuselage includes air flow control means located to the rear of said propeller for directing said rearwardly air flow downwardly of said fuselage.
 6. An airplane as recited in claim 5 wherein said air flow control means of said fuselage is open on the bottom and includes side portions and a progressively downward directed portion for establishing said downward air flow.
 7. An airplane as recited in claim 1 which further comprises: a cage having a forward end, a rear end, and a plurality of longitudinal ribs and associated openings extending between said forward and rear ends; means for mounting said cage in said fuselage in near proximity of said centrally located opening of said fuselage; and means for mounting said electrical means partially within said cage.
 8. An airplane as recited in claim 7 wherein said propeller is located within said cage and is partially shrouded by said plurality of longitudinal ribs of said cage.
 9. An airplane as recited in claim 7 wherein said fuselage includes a plurality of longitudinally extending openings located on the top surface and partially on the side surface of said fuselage in proximity of the longitudinal center of said fuselage, and said cage is mounted within said fuselage so as to align a portion of said associated openings of said cage with said respective plurality of longitudinally extending openings of said fuselage.
 10. An airplane as recited in claim 9 wherein said fuselage is open on the bottom side of said cage.
 11. An airplane as recited in claim 10 wherein the majority of air drawn into said cage enters via said plurality of openings located on the periphery of said cage.
 12. A free flight simulated fan jet airplane comprising: a fuselage having a plurality of openings located in its approximate midsection; a non-compressive electrically powered propeller located in immediate proximity of said plurality of openings of said fuselage; and shrouded means for housing and protecting said non-compressive electrically powered propeller, said shrouded means being mounted to said fuselage and having a plurality of openings aligned with said plurality of openings of said fuselage.
 13. An airplane as recited in claim 12 wherein said non-compressive electrically powered propeller is powered by an electrical motor and at least one rechargeable electrical battery mounted to said shrouded means and located in front of said propeller.
 14. An airplane as recited in claim 12 wherein said propeller is rotated so as to draw air through said respective plurality of openings of said fuselage and said shrouded means and to further direct said drawn air rearward of said propeller and shrouded means.
 15. An airplane as recited in claim 14 wherein said fuselage further includes a member located to the rear of said propeller, said member progressively sloping downward as it extends to rear so as to direct said rearwardly directed air downward. 